British Pie Week

Jo Robinson explains why she loves British Pie Week…

“British Pie Week celebrates all that we love about food and is a great classic British tradition.

There is something calming and comforting when it comes to chopping vegetables, particularly when they are plucked fresh from the ground that day. Great pies start with a good base of sauteed onion and garlic, often with seasonal vegetables served on the side – and ones that hide a rich stew underneath are best topped with a traditional shortcrust pastry.”

Jo Franklin, Head Chef at The Kitchen, shares her Great British Steak Pie recipe, and we were delighted to see it published in the Oxford Mail this week. For those who didn’t manage to grab a copy in time, here it is in all its’ glory!

Method

Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed pan and fry the meat until browned on all sides

Add the sliced onions, thyme, bay leaf, salt and black pepper and the stock and bring to the boil

Reduce the heat and simmer gently for 90 mins or until nice and tender but still firm enough to hold together

Preheat the oven to 180C/375F/Gas 5

Transfer the pie mix to an ovenproof pie dish. Line the rim of the dish with a thin strip of pastry. Dampen the pastry rim by brushing with beaten egg. Cut a piece of pastry to fit across the top of the dish and place on top of the dish, pressing the edges together to seal. Cut a slit in the top of the pie with a sharp knife, then brush with more beaten egg.

Transfer to the oven and cook for an hour. If the pastry gets too brown, cover it with foil. Serve hot with lovely creamy mash potatoes and seasonal British vegetables

We had so much fun photographing the Great British Steak Pie for the Oxford Mail. Our pub dogs Lola and Monty were waiting on the sidelines to get a whiff of the delicious pie as we snapped away!

We hope people across Oxfordshire will go to their local pub if they fancy pie and mash, or use our recipe to make your own pie at home – why not host a pie party with friends…

During British Pie Week The Kitchen will be serving our seasonal Warwickshire Game Pie, with buttered mash and vegetables ~ if you would like to book a table visit our website www.thekitchenfarnborough.co.uk or call us on 01295 690615.